Mr. Speaker, I rise to present three more petitions to add to the thousands of signatures I have already presented from citizens of the Peterborough area who want VIA Rail service re-established between Peterborough and Toronto.
The petitioners point out the great environmental advantages, the reduction in greenhouse emissions, the reduction in accidents and wear and tear on the highways. It would also strengthen Peterborough as a business, educational and tourist centre and also, I would say, strengthen all the communities along the line.
The petition has support in federal ridings such as Haliburton—Victoria—Brock, Durham, Whitby—Ajax, Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge, Markham, Scarborough—Rouge River and Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington.
I am pleased to say that the petition has already resulted in most constructive meetings between the Minister of Transport and the people of Peterborough, the hon. member for Haliburton—Victoria—Brock and citizens of the Lindsay area.